In today’s modern society, there are various ideas of dieting, nutrition, and well-being.
One trend that not only betters the health of individuals, but also the environment, is known as Zero Waste. Zero Waste is assumed to be time and money consuming, and too difficult to participate in, but recently it has been peaking the interest of society, and that is why Zero Waste is considered a food and nutritional trend. People already participating in the Zero Waste movement are attempting to grow its follower base, by creating blogs, writing books, speaking at conferences, and doing anything they can to spread awareness to let society know that by going Zero Waste, they can not only better themselves, but the whole world.Part AZero Waste is a nutritional movement that encourages society to eat food with little to no waste. Waste includes plastic and paper packaging, and parts of food that people normally consider waste, such as peels on fruit. Many large food industries that sell processed foods and use plastic packaging that are harmful to individual’s health and the environment choose these unhealthy packaging options for convenience and consumer demand. The Zero Waste food movement is against this, and strives to not only ensure a healthier lifestyle for individuals, but for the planet as well. Douglas McMaster, a Zero Waste restaurant owner compares the Zero Waste trend to a minimalist lifestyle, as it has been known to relieve stress and anxiety from lives, by saving money and leading a more organic life (McMaster, 2017).
Similar to another trend known as Waste Based Cooking, eating Zero Waste food can include reusing parts of food that are usually considered waste or scraps in another meal; for example, instead of throwing out stale bread, using it to make croutons. Reusing and recycling food products is a big part of Zero Waste, as the main goal of Zero Waste is to ensure no food goes to waste, helping people become more nutritious, and also helping to save money, time, and protecting the earth to ensure a healthy future. The Zero Waste food trend began sparking people’s attention globally over twenty years ago. Although it was not as popular back then, more people have started challenging themselves recently with the Zero Waste trend, with the goal of eating healthier, not wasting as much food and helping the environment. The trend began when food industries started paying attention to how much waste is produced from food each year, and many people decided to try and cut down, which led to more and more people getting inspired and wanting to change the outcome. The pie chart shown here is an analysis of what makes up waste, and it is shown that 44.5% are containers and plastic packaging and food waste, according to (Hubbard, 2014).
Additionally, Canada’s Conference board director (Coad, 2013) has shown that the total amount of waste that the average Canadian produces each year is about 1700 pounds. By learning these large numbers, it has persuaded many people to try going Zero Waste in order to try to minimize this number in the future, and by learning that food is a large contributor to the amount of waste created, it has prompted many people to change their diet to a Zero Waste one. This many people to try to cut down on the amount of garbage they create.
After paying attention to the waste they make and going Zero Waste, many people, including Zero Waste blogger and author Bea Johnson, have shared how much waste they produce in one year, and it all fits into one jar (Johnson, 2017). To influence the expansion of the trend, Zero Waste has been featured in many food and cooking related blogs. Many people who decide to challenge themselves to go Zero Waste document their journey to inspire others to do the same. One popular Zero Waste blog is that of Bea Johnson, who has inspired others through numerous speeches, as well as blogging her family’s journey through a Zero Waste lifestyle. She has also written a book, “Zero Waste Home”, about her and her family’s experience of living Zero Waste. Her book is available globally to encourage as many people as possible to participate in the Zero Waste movement (Johnson 2017).
There have also been some restaurants and stores that have started to sell food that is considered Zero Waste; for example, a Zero Waste restaurant in England called “Silo”, owned by the aforementioned Douglas McMaster, serves food made of products that would be considered waste, such as using the entire animal for meat products, stale food, or any foods that can be reused. Zero waste does not stop at food, though: the restaurant also get food delivered in reusable crates, and the tables and chairs in the restaurant are made from repurposed materials that would be considered waste, such as paper or plastic bags to promote the Zero Waste lifestyle (McMaster, 2017).Zero Waste is directed at anyone willing to participate; it can affect the lives of the individual, family, and society. Zero Waste can affect people on a micro level; individuals who change their diet to fit a Zero Waste lifestyle are affected by the trend, as their whole lifestyle is altered; cutting unhealthy and processed foods out of their meals, no longer throwing away waste from foods or buying packaged foods, only organic fresh grown foods such as fruit, vegetables, seeds, or making homemade or homegrown foods. This ultimately affects the individual’s family, as when one person follows a particular nutritional lifestyle in household, especially if they are the one to cook for the family, it will affect the rest of the family’s diet as well. Additionally, Zero Waste also affects society on a macro level; when grocery stores, restaurants, and industries start promoting and selling food that follows Zero Waste guidelines, the public will be affected by this, as it will motivate and encourage society to start thinking about the trend. Also, the long term beneficial effects of more and more people will have a positive impact on society, as people will start eating healthier and saving the environment and the planet, ultimately affecting society on a macro level for the better. Since Zero Waste is more than a way of helping individuals live healthier lives, and also helps the planet, it is encouraged upon everyone to ensure a more nutritious lifestyle for everyone.
People who follow the Zero Waste food trend already are trying to advertise it on social media by creating blogs and videos, documenting their experience on going Zero Waste, sharing Zero Waste recipes, and more. The goal is to encourage more people to try going Zero Waste, and make a difference in our society by eating healthier, and having a healthier planet. Additionally, Zero Waste friendly restaurant owners are also trying to get the attention of larger food industries, and encourage them to consider trying Zero Waste, including Douglas McMaster, owner of the aforementioned Zero Waste restaurant “Silo”. McMaster (2017) said that: “He’d love to create a ‘Zero waste certification’ to help guide restaurants on maximising their resources to minimise their waste”. More and more people globally are finding out about Zero Waste challenges and diets, and spreading information it others about it. The Zero Waste trend is still emerging to the public, as not many people know about it, or have tried it, because they assume it would be difficult, or they can’t live without processed foods or don’t think they can do it. However, those who have tried going Zero Waste have shared that it is quite simple, and it has improved their lives. It is people like Bea Johnson who run blogs and speak on television and at health conferences that inspire others to go Zero waste.
Johnson (2017) has stated that: “Her and her family not only feel happier, but they also lead more meaningful lives based on experiences instead of stuff”. Zero Waste definitely reflects a positive trend in food and nutrition. It not only promotes health in society and individuals, but it also promotes keeping a green planet. Going Zero Waste has various benefits, and is gaining popularity because of its effective health and environmental advantages, making it a positive food trend overall.
Zero Waste prevents people from eating unhealthy foods such as processed food, fast food, and promotes a better future for not only the individual, but also society and the world as a whole. This is definitely a benefit that a food trend should have, because the fact the trend has a goal, that makes it more likely to gain supporters of the trend. Part BZero Waste is shared between multiple countries in the world.
It is most popular in countries such as Canada, the United States, and Europe, and also many others. The movement is becoming more and more popular every year, and all around the world people are trying to get more people to participate and make a positive difference in health and the environment world-wide. Many people in different countries try to persuade people to go Zero Waste by sharing the total amount of trash in pounds that the country produces each year. For example, Local and global events to promote recent interest in the trend include conferences, TED talks, and other events that speakers are invited to share to other the goal of Zero waste, and inspire them to start thinking about their health and the earth’s health by considering Zero Waste as an option. For example, there is an annual conference in Vancouver, Canada, called Zero Waste Conference (ZWC) at which people who are experienced with participating in the Zero Waste trend share their stories to enlighten others.
The Zero Waste trend is is not specific to any demographic, gender, age, or group in society. It is directed at anyone who is willing to participate in helping the environment and bettering their own health by being mindful of waste and nutrition. My perspective on the Zero Waste trend is that it is a positive reflection on nutrition and living a healthy lifestyle. I think the Zero Waste food trend is an excellent way of promoting health and wellness, because of the positive effects of minimizing waste, harmful chemicals, unhealthy foods, and preventing a dangerous future for the world if we continue unhealthy eating habits and ways of life that eating and buying foods that create too much waste can have on individual, family or society. I think that more people should consider going Zero Waste, or at least try to minimize the amount of waste they make with the food they eat, and try to buy more organic foods rather than processed foods, or foods with more earth-friendly packaging. I think that going Zero Waste would be a challenge, as you would need to completely change your eating habits, give up certain foods, and do a great deal of research to see which foods would be suitable under the Zero Waste guidelines.
In my opinion, I think that Zero Waste will become much more popular in a few years, as many people are realizing the danger that the earth is in when it comes to throwing out plastic and paper products that are harmful to the environment, and will begin to realize how Zero Waste can help with this issue. In addition to this reason, people will inevitably hear about Zero Waste and wonder about the kinds of foods people who go Zero Waste eat, and want to see the effects of this type of diet, and all the health benefits and want to try it for themselves. Personally, after researching Zero Waste, I have learned a great deal about the topic, and am inspired to try and minimize the amount of waste I make in the future. Conclusions that can be drawn from my research about present and future trends in food and nutrition, are that most trends in the past did not concern the health of society as a whole as much as they did the individual. Most food trends from the past were directed towards the individual’s diet and well-being, while today, food trends are mostly concerned for the nutrition of society as a whole, and the advantages or disadvantages of other food trends, and their effect on our health. For example, Zero Waste benefits the health of society and the planet instead of only concerning a diet for one person. This emerging trend is not just a fad; Zero Waste is here to stay. The intention of Zero Waste is to make a positive impact on the future of nutrition and the environment, by changing the unhealthy and harmful food and waste habits that are practiced today.
Eating healthier and knowing you are making a positive difference to the world is a way of not only improving your physical health, but also your mental health; that is part of the reason that Zero Waste is gaining a more known reputation. Zero Waste’s popularity is only increasing, as more and more people watch videos, read blogs, books, see articles, and restaurants, and products in stores that are Zero Waste friendly. Additionally, people who are already living a Zero Waste life will ultimately still be encouraging others to go Zero Waste in the future, as well. Those are the largest reasons why I believe that Zero Waste is not just a fad, and the trend will still catch people’s attention in the future; if the goal of the trend is met, then the future will be much healthier in more ways than one.Part CVideo: https://www.
youtube.com/watch?v=pF72px2R3HgScholarly Article: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S095965261200635X The video presented is a TED Talk on the topic of Zero Waste, and speaker Lauren Singer’s experience and reasoning for participating in a Zero Waste way of life.
The video does not necessarily present a bias towards Zero Waste, as much as it explains the advantages that going Zero Waste provides to one’s life, although this could be perceived as bias, because the speaker is studying to be an environmentalist, so a diet that favours nutrition and the environment would most likely be the first choice of an environmentalist. Still, the Zero Waste lifestyle is perceived as a positive food trend to the majority of people, because of its various health benefits. The evidence presented in the video on the effectiveness of Zero Waste is accurate, since the speaker is an environmentalist, so the approval and opinion of Zero Waste from Singer is valuable.
This makes the evidence the speaker gives in the video credible, as an environmentalist would know and be aware of the benefits of Zero Waste and encourage the trend among others. The article’s evidence is convincing, as it gives insight into the cause and need for the Zero Waste trend, and the positive effects Zero Waste creates on the negative factors on waste and pollution and unhealthy habits we see today. These are both credible sources of information, as the video is a TED Talk, an educational and informational source, with the speaker being an educated environmentalist, and someone who participates in the Zero Waste lifestyle, so they have experience and knowledge on the topic. The article, a scholarly paper written by James Greyson, although it does not focus on the nutritional elements of Zero Waste, lists the causes and effects for the need for more people to join the Zero Waste diet movement.
Additionally, the video can be related to many different nutritional topics. For example, food safety and foodborne illnesses are related to Zero Waste food, as most Zero Waste people shop for food in bulk, which can help with illnesses such as botulism which arise from foods that are prepackaged. Zero Waste eaters also eat much more organic foods, like fruits and vegetables that are home grown or purchased from farmer’s markets; this is a much healthier option for food, as it will be guaranteed that the foods that are being eaten are not modified in any way, and are natural and healthy for the body.
Conclusion The Zero Waste food trend is therefore a safe, healthy, and practical solution to the issue of harmful products in our homes and on our earth, and a trend that will better the future for everyone. Zero Waste will ensure a healthy lifestyle for anyone who participates, free of harmful foods, and guaranteed good result, as it will help the earth greatly. Zero Waste not only benefits the individual, but also society, as it promotes healthier eating habits and lifestyles, and also helps to reduce stress, save time and money, and save the earth as well. All these factors come together to make the Zero Waste food trend a perfect option for living a more fulfilled and healthy life. The trend is increasing in popularity more and more each year, as many people are sharing their experiences, thoughts, and feedback on what a Zero Waste life is like, and how their lives have been made better by changing their nutritional habits to that of a Zero Waste one.
